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McChicken

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McChicken
The McChicken as sold in the US
Nutritional value per 1 sandwich, 5.1 oz (140 g)
Energy410 kcal (1,700 kJ)
39 g (13%)
Sugars5 g
Dietary fiber2 g (8%)
22 g (33%)
Saturated4 g (19%)
15 g
Vitamins and minerals
VitaminsQuantity
%DV
Vitamin A80 IU
Vitamin C
1%
1 mg
MineralsQuantity
%DV
Calcium
2%
20 mg
Iron
14%
2.5 mg
Sodium
26%
590 mg
Other constituentsQuantity
Energy from fat190 kcal (790 kJ)
Cholesterol45 mg (15%)
Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults,[2] except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.[3]
Source: [1]

The McChicken is a chicken burger sold by the international fast food restaurant McDonald's.[4] It consists of a toasted wheat bun, a breaded patty, shredded lettuce and mayonnaise.

History

The burger, originally introduced in 1980, proved to be a sales disappointment and was later replaced with the highly successful Chicken McNuggets.[5] However, following the success of McNuggets, the McChicken was reintroduced in 1988. McDonald's again removed the McChicken from its menus in the United States on September 26, 1996,[6] replacing it with the Crispy Chicken Deluxe, which was part of McDonald's ill-fated Deluxe line of burgers. The McChicken was phased back in gradually over the later months of 1997, due to overwhelming letters and petitions.[7] In the United States, the burger's size has shrunk over time to maintain a consistent price point, as it is a longtime staple of the Dollar Menu & More (previously just the Dollar Menu), which offers various food products starting at US$1.00.[8]

The meat of the McChicken was originally a mix of 50% white meat and 50% dark meat.[citation needed] Viewed in April 2015, McDonald's website states that the McChicken contains a blend of dark and white meat chicken.[9]

Variants

In certain regions and at specific McDonald's franchises, the McChicken is adapted to appeal to the local population's tastes.

Spiced

When the McChicken was reintroduced to McDonald's menu in mid-to-late 1997 as a smaller burger, it was initially marketed as the Cajun (Style) McChicken. The name was changed back to just McChicken around 2001, alongside the change to a milder, softer chicken patty.[citation needed]

In the south and southwestern parts of the US, the Hot 'n Spicy variant is sold.[10] It originated as a nationwide menu item in January 2006, but by June of that year, McDonald's confirmed it had been discontinued due to slow sales.[11] In March 2013, McDonald's re-introduced the Hot 'n Spicy across the country[12] to what was then called the Dollar Menu. In November 2013, as part of the chain's Dollar Menu & More revamp, the McChicken (and the Hot 'n Spicy) could be ordered as a Buffalo Ranch McChicken, which is a McChicken with Buffalo and Ranch sauce instead of mayonnaise, or a Bacon Buffalo Ranch, which is a Buffalo Ranch McChicken with bacon. As of June 2015, the Hot 'n Spicy is no longer available nationally.

The Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken, a McChicken with jalapeño peppers sauce and a slice of white cheddar cheese, was available in 2011 and 2012.[13]

McDonald's restaurants in Hong Kong, Singapore[14] and India[15] serve a McSpicy variant, with a larger, crispier patty with increased spiciness and flavor. The spicy variant is also available as the Double McSpicy, which consists of two spicy chicken patties.[citation needed]

Outlets in Taiwan serve the Hot n' Spicy variant, which is available on a traditional bread bun or a formed rice bun[citation needed], while locations in Malaysia serve a variant similar to the McSpicy called the Spicy Chicken McDeluxe but with a cornmeal bun.[16]

Teriyaki, cheddar and more

In Hawaii, the Ala Moana Shopping Center McDonald's sells the McTeriChicken variant, a McChicken with teriyaki ("teri") sauce. "Teri" is heavily used in Hawaii and has been added to various McDonald's burgers, such as the McTeri Burger.[17]

In other US states, there is also another variant of the McChicken burger called the Cheddar Onion McChicken, which is a McChicken with caramelized onions and a slice of white cheddar cheese, both on a toasted bun.[18][19]

Crispy McChicken chicken sandwich (Philippines)

In most countries outside of the US (such as India[20]), the McChicken comes on a sesame-seed bun and is not spicy. In Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia (where it originally appeared as a promotional menu item but, due to its popularity, became a full-time menu item) and New Zealand, the McChicken also comes on a sesame-seed bun but with lettuce and a seasoned mayonnaise sauce called "McChicken Sauce".

In the UK, the Junior Chicken is sold as the Mayo Chicken.[21]

In Canada, the low-priced chicken option is called the Junior Chicken,[22] which generally costs C$3.89,[23] but the burger is only lightly spiced[citation needed]. It is referred to as the cousin of the Canadian McChicken,[24] which in turn is more akin to the US' Premium Crispy Chicken burger (though the latter is served on an artisan roll, instead of the sesame seed bun of its Canadian counterpart).

McDonald's restaurants in Spain serve a variant with barbecue sauce rather than mayonnaise.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ "McChicken®: Chicken Sandwich". McDonald's. Archived from the original on 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  2. ^ United States Food and Drug Administration (2024). "Daily Value on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels". FDA. Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Food and Nutrition Board; Committee to Review the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium (2019). Oria, Maria; Harrison, Meghan; Stallings, Virginia A. (eds.). Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium. The National Academies Collection: Reports funded by National Institutes of Health. Washington, DC: National Academies Press (US). ISBN 978-0-309-48834-1. PMID 30844154. Archived from the original on 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
  4. ^ "This Michigan State student tried to eat 100 McChicken sandwiches in 24 hours". Lansing State Journal. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  5. ^ "How the fried chicken sandwich clawed its way to the top of Toronto's fast-food chain". Toronto Life. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  6. ^ "Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Google News Archive Search". Archived from the original on 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
  7. ^ "Charlotte: Search Results". Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  8. ^ "Dollar Menu & More". McDonald's USA. Archived from the original on 2015-06-13. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  9. ^ "Our Food, Your Questions: McDonald's Food Facts". Mcdonald's. Archived from the original on 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2017-11-07.
  10. ^ "McChicken Variety: Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken, Cheddar Onion McChicken, Hot 'N Spicy McChicken". Grub Grade. 14 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-06-09. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  11. ^ "McDonald's chickens out". Chicago Tribune. 12 July 2006. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  12. ^ "News: McDonald's - New Hot 'n Spicy McChicken on the Dollar Menu". Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  13. ^ "Review: McDonald's - Jalapeño Cheddar McChicken". Brand Eating. Archived from the original on 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  14. ^ "McSpicy™". McDonald's Singapore. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  15. ^ "Spicy Press Release" (PDF). McDonald's India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  16. ^ "i'm lovin' it! McDonald's® Malaysia". McDonald's Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  17. ^ "Unique McDonald's Food Items in Hawaii". Mr. Cheap Stuff. 4 August 2007. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  18. ^ "Review: McDonald's - Cheddar Onion McChicken". Brand Eating. Archived from the original on 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  19. ^ "News: McDonald's Jalapeño Cheddar and Cheddar Onion McChicken in San Diego". Brand Eating. Archived from the original on 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  20. ^ "What You Can and Can't Get at McDonald's India". Indiamarks. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  21. ^ "Mayo Chicken". McDonald's United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  22. ^ "Junior Chicken". McDonald's Canada. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  23. ^ "McDonald's Menu Prices Canada [2024 January] ❤️". McDonald's Menu Prices. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  24. ^ "What is the difference between a Junior Chicken sandwich and a McChicken?". McDonald's Canada. Archived from the original on 2015-06-17. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  25. ^ "Chicken Burger BBQ". McDonald's España. Archived from the original on 2018-02-08. Retrieved 2018-02-07.